Skoda Lowers DC Charging Power for Elroq Models

Skoda has announced a reduction in the direct current (DC) charging power for certain versions of its Elroq model. The company asserts that this adjustment will not negatively impact customers, as overall charging times will remain stable.

Historically, manufacturers have highlighted peak DC charging power as a key selling point. However, in recent years, consumers have become more aware that this figure is not always indicative of real-world performance. The more relevant metric is the time taken to charge a battery from 10% to 80%. Skoda seems to be banking on this understanding, as it opts to decrease the DC charging power of the Elroq while competitors continue to push for higher charging rates.

The Elroq previously offered a maximum charging power of 175 kW. From the 24th week of the calendar year, all Elroq 85 models will have their DC charging capacity reduced to 135 kW. Despite this change, the time to charge the battery from 10% to 80% will remain unchanged at approximately 26 minutes. This is facilitated by a modified charging curve that maintains higher power levels for extended periods compared to the previous configuration. However, there are scenarios where this reduced peak charging power could result in longer wait times for customers charging from 10% to 40%, as they would now need to spend additional minutes at the charging station.

The rationale behind this change is attributed to a switch in battery cell suppliers. It remains uncertain if other models will be affected by this transition. Notably, the battery used in the Elroq, which features an 82 kWh gross capacity and a 77 kWh net capacity, is employed across various models within the Volkswagen Group. A local Skoda dealer has confirmed a temporary stop on orders for the Enyaq 85x starting May 21, indicating that the supplier change could have broader implications across the brand.